Method of and machine for making knockdown boxes



April 1 1924.

L. E. LA BOMBARD ET AL METHOD 0% AND MACHINBFOR MAKING xnocxnowu BOXES 1921 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 5.

April 1 1924.

1.. 5. LA BOMBARD ET AL METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR MAKING KNOCKDOWN BOXES Filed Feb. 5. 1921 7 Sheets-Sheet z HHS/0550' 7/704 M.

April 1 1924.

1.," E. LA BOMBARD ET- AL METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR MAKING KNOCKDOWN BOXES gm f t TAN Y. mwmtw m y wa MMZM m .S .r m [Mk/T Filed Feb. 5 1921 Aprifl 1 1924 3,488,756

L. E. LA BOMBARD ET AL METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR MAKING KNOCKDOWN BOXES Filed Feb. 5. 1921 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 11. 1924. 1,488,756

L. E. LA BOMBARD ET AL METHOD OF AND momma FOR mxme-xnocxnown-noxss Filed Feb. 5. 1921 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 v Aprfi 1, 1924. I 1,488,756

L. E. LA BOMBARD ET AL METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR MAKI'NG KNOCKDOWN BOXES Filed Feb. 5. 1921 Shets-Sheet v Fatent Apr. l, 192%.

STATES BATEN LEQN E. LA BOMBARD AND MELVIN H. SIDEBOTEAM, OF CHELSEA, MASSACHUSETTS,

ASSIGNORS TO SPECIALTY AUTDMATIC MACHINE COMPANY, OF CHELSEA, MASSA- CHUSETTS, A. CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR MAKING KNOCKDOWN BOXES.

Application filed February 5, 1921. Serial No. 442,868.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we LnoN E. LA Bom- BARI) and MELVIN H. mneo'rmm, citizens of the United States, and residents of Chelsea, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of and Machines for Making Knockdown Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the manufacture of boxes of the type commonly known as knock down or wall boxes which are furnished to the trade in flat or collapsed condition for the purpose of saving s co in stock rooms and in stores where t ey are to be used, and also for saving transportation costs. Such boxes are opened or set up as they are needed for use, and when set up i have upright walls. Boxes of this type are used very largel for packaging eggs sold at retail (some we l-known form of cross partitioning being employed in the boxes) but it is to be understood that we do not limit as ourselves t the manufacture of boxes for such specific use.

Knock-down wall boxes are more diflicult to make than what. are known as carton boxes because the latter are made by folding blanks on two parallel crease lines, the complete boxes simply consisting of tubes havmg end tucking flaps. And envelopes are made by simply first folding the blanks .on

two parallel lines and then on two other parallel lines' On the other hand boxes of the type illustrated by Figures 14 to 20 herein have wall portions that must stand upright fromthe bottom when the boxes are to be used. To manufacture such boxes in collapsed or knocked down conditi6n (Fig. 19) necessitates folding the wall portions of the boxes onto the bottom sec tion, which wall portions will then, when set up (Fig. 20) be so connected to each other as to present acontinuous barrier to prevent escape of the contents of the box. The chief dificulty in manufacturing such boxes by automatic machinery has heretofore been in providing mechanism which-will roperly 0 fold the sections of'the ,blanks w 'oh are to constitute the foldable side walls of the boxes. Machines have been made which will do .part of the work of' producing such which has been converted from the colwall boxes, such mechanism being of. a

plunger type and consequently intermittent in action and therefore relatively slow in operation, and requiring some hand operation to and in the roduction of the boxes for the market. So ar as we are aware, we are the first to provide a machine which is automat1c and continuous in the operation of converting fiat blanks into collapsed boxes which have wall rtions adapted to be straightened to upright positions.

The present invention includes a novel method of producing knock-down boxes, whereby we effect economy in the material employed and a very material increase in speed of production, the latter being particularly true when the method is carried out by machinery. The invention also includes a novel machine 'for producing boxesand box stacking mechanisms and also omit. ting some of the details to avoid confusion.-

Figure 3 is a perspective view of that portion of the'first section where the side wall polr tions of the blanks are folded.

1 the etails belonging to the mechanism of Figure 3 but only partly appearingin that figure.

Figures 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 are perspective views illustrating successive steps in the operation of folding the side wall portions of the blanks.

Fi re 7 is a detailed perspectivelooking. in a direction the reverse of that in Figure 3.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the mechanism at the junction of the first and second sections of the machine.

Figures 12 and 13 are perspective views illustrating the operation of the gluing mechanism which is located in the secon section of the machine.

Figures 14- to 19 inclusive are views illustrating successive steps in the folding of the blanks.

Figure 2t) is a persepctive view of a. box

r 4 is a perspective view of some of lapsed condition shown in Figure 19 to a set up condition ready to be filled.

In many of the figures arrows indicate the direction in which the blanks travel while passing through the machine.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, it will aid toward an understanding of the following description to explain that those two figures, taken together, indicate theentire machine excepting that in practice there is a suitable blank feeding mechanism at the right of Figure 1 and a box stacking or collecting mechanism at the left of Figure 2. The left hand end of Figure 1 duplicates parts shown at the right hand end of Figure 2 to render it clear that the arts of the machine shown in the two gures operate at an angle to each other. In said Figures 1 and 2 some of the positions and outlines of the blanks are indicated by dotted lines where the dotted numerals 15, 17, 18 and 19 appear. Those dotted numerals are employed because at those points of the machine the blanks are in substantially the conditions shown by Figures 15, 17, 18 and 19. in otherwords,

each blank when it reaches position 15 (Fig. 1) is as shown in Figure 15; when it reaches position 17 it is substantially as'shown by Figure 17 and so on until, when it reaches position 19 (Fig. 2), it is substantially as shown by Figure 19. The timing is such that when the machine is in operation different parts of the machine are operating simultaneously on blanks which are passing along successively and continuously spaced about as indicated by the dotted line indications of the blank in Figures 1 and 2. In other words, while one part of the machine is performing a partial folding operation on one blank other parts of the machine are at the same time performing other folding operations on other blanks, all of said blanks following one another in a continuous line or stream through the machine and delivered therefrom as complete boxes in collapsed condition (Fig. 19).

The frame of the machine includes side bars 20 supported by suitable legs a portion of one leg being indicated in Figure 3 at 21. The side bars are connected by tie rods one or two of which are indicated at 22 and others by other numerals hereinafter referred to. The frame also includes brackets rising from the side bars at points Where desirable for some of the parts of the machine. Two of such brackets are in dicated at 23 in Figures 1 and 3.

Blanks shaped as indicated in Figure 14 are out and creased to form a bottom portion a, front and rear wall sections 6 0, side wall sections (2 s f, flaps g at the ends of section b, flaps h at the ends of. section 0, a cover section 2' and a tucking flap In. Blanks of this shape are cut with, ractin l-asses cally no waste of material as will be understoodby visualizing a'second blank placed against the one in Figure 14: edge to edge but in reversed longitudinal position. The edges of the parts (i e f g of .one blank will just meet and correspond with the edge of parts z' k of the adjacent blank and the flap h of the first blank will inst fit the space between the parts 7 lb of said adjacent blank. In other words the edges are rererse'ly complementary.

Blanks of the shape just described are taken singly and successively from a feed table (not shown) by a, feed wheel 24 (Figs.

1 and 3) carried by shaft 25, and are then taken by a pair of rolls 26, 27, which forward them onto two smooth stationary strips 29 supported by two of the ti rods. Theshaft of roll 26 is indicated at 28. These upper and lower rolls 26, 27, are employed because they act more positively than would the wheel 24; alone to secure proper timing or relative spacing of the succession of blanks and the delivery thereof onto the strips 29.

The strips 29 are adjustably mounted on their supporting tie rods to provide for different widths of blanks, and they are formed or provided with outer raised guides 30 for the edges of the blanks. Said guides however are omitted along those portions where the marginal wall portions of the blank are turned or folded in as described presently in. connection with F Mounted on tie rods of the machine are two channeled guide bars 31 for driven chains 32 (Figs- 3 and 10) havin w hookshaped lugs 33, (Fig. 10.). The lugs of each chain are spaced so far apart that aftera blank has been delivered onto the strips 29 by the rolls 26 27, its rear edge (the edge of section b) .is not at once engaged by a pair of lugs 33 but only after said blank has remained stationary long enough in position 15 (Fig. 1) for the mechanism shown in F igures'3, 5 and 6 to act to fold the marginal portions of the blank to substantially the form shown by Figure 16. The blank stops in said position simply because as soon as its rear edge leaves the nip of the forwarding rolls 26, 27, there is nothing to carry it further until a pair of the chain lugs 33 reach it. And the blank is of so little weight that itis caused to stop by friction. Said friction is effected by the stationary strips 29 and a pair of upper guide strips 34 having inclined ends 35 (Fig. 7 to permit the blanks to enter bef igures o, 6, 8 and 9.

tween the upper and lower strips as they are supplied to the machine from the feeder.

The upper strips 34 are suitably supported by hangers 36 from blocks 37 adjustably the arrow in Figure 14, arrives at and stops in the position shown in Figure 5 which figure, to avoid confusion, omits many of the operating parts shown in Figure 3. While the blank is being forwarded by the rolls 26, 27, to the position shown in F lgure 5 its marginal portions 12 e f g k are broken on the longitudinal crease lines and turned to upright positions (Fig. 15) by a pair of rods 38 (Fig. l) of a type well known in box making machines. The resistance offered by the breaker rods 38 tothe forward movement of the blank is reliably overcome by the sitive action of driven rolls 26, 27. The tuning of operation of'the various parts of the machine is such that nothing acts to move the blank from the position shown in Figure5 until after its marginal portions d e f have been turned in or folded and doubled to the conditions approximately illustrated in Figure 10. We will now describe the mechanism which opcrate to turn or .fold the said portions d e f of the blank while it is stationary, from the up-standing form shown in Figures 5 and 15, through the forms shown in Figures 6, 8, 9 and 16, to that shown in Figure 17.

When the blank arrives in the position shown in Figure 5, its marginal portions are held upright by side rods 39, 40, which project in parallel relationship from blocks 41, 42, (Figs. 1, 3 and 5) secured to the outer edges of the strips 29.

To en age the u right wall portions (1 d of the b ank and end them toward each other on their crease lines, tuckers 43 are employed. Said tuckers are located at opposite sides of the path of movement of the blanks. That is, they are outside said path of movement, and they act on; the outer sides or surface of the upright marginal portions of the blank while the latter is in its position of rest. Said tuckers are hereinafter referred to generically as outside folders to aid in distinguishing them from the wing folders 72, 73, .74, 75 hereinafter described and which are so located as to act as inside folders.v Said outside folders or tuckers 43 move from the position shown in Figure 5 to that shown'in Figure 6. Each.

of them, for convenience of structure, consists of a pair of plates secured to a rock shaft, but the two plates may be integral. The inner or acting margin of each side tucker 43,, whether said tucker consists of one plate or two plates, presents an angular edge the tip of which is at the center. Each rock shaft ismounted in bearings provided in abracket 45 (Figs. 3, 5 and 6). The two brackets are mounted to slide toward and from each other on a tie rod 22. Each bracket is rigidly connected to a rod 46 mounted to slide (Fig; 4) in frame bracket 23 andin a bearing bracket 47 rigidly supported by said tie-rod 22.

The two rock shaft brackets 45 are caused to simultaneously slide toward and from each other to cause the tuckers or outside folders 43to bend the portions d e f in and down, by the following mechanism :A cam 48 (Fig. 4) secured to the feed wheel shaft 25 acts on a. roll 49 of an arm 50 of an elbow lever pivotally supported by frame bracket 23. Another arm 51 of said lever is connected bym link 52 with an arm 53 of an elbow lever pivotally supported at 54 and having another arm 55 connected. to a block 56 secured to the outer end of one ofthe sliderods 46. Each slide rod 46 ha a block 57 secured to it, and the two blocks 57 are connected by links 58 with opposite ends of a lever 59 pivoted at its mid-length to the under side of a block 60 clamped on tie rod 22. The cam 48 acts to slide the rods 46 and the brackets 45 in, while a spring 61 connected to one of the links 58 acts to slide the rods and brackets out.

When the members 43 are in their outer positions (Figs; 3 and 5) they are held tilted upward by springs connected to arms 62 of the two rock shafts so that the angular tips of the said members (when moved in) will engage the portion d of the blanks well above the line where they join the fiat body portion a of the blank. This is to avoid liability of said tips puncturing the upright portions (1. V henv the slide rods 46 move in, the tuckers swing down to press the portions ofthe blank engaged thereby down fiat (Fig. 6). This is effected by a tail piece 63 clamped to each rock shaft and having its outer end inclined or curved down over a block 64 clamped on tie rod 22 so that, as the brackets 45 move in, the tail pieces 63 of the rock shafts ride over the blocks 64 and efiect rocking of the shafts to swing the tuckers or" outside folders down positively.

Each rock shaft has a pair of arms or fingers 65 adjustably clamped thereto. Some box blanks areof such material that they do not break easily on their crease lines. The fingers 65 are for the purpose of ensuring breaking of the flaps g on their crease lines. To do this the fingers are so adrjusted on the shafts 44 that when the tuckers move in, the tips of the fingers 65 engage the flaps g it near the lower portions thereof and bend them sharply inwardly. When they move out again the said flaps simply spring back lightly to the limit prescribed by the rods 38, 39, 40.

After the outside folders or tuckers 43 reach their inner positions (Fig. 6) they remain there long enough to retain the por-' tions d folded imand flat down (Fig. 16) while other members presently described fold or double the triangular portions 6 f of the blanks over the taperin edges of the members 43. Said-other mem rs comprise wing folders which oscillate on a vertical axis. The support therefore comprises a bearing block 66 (Figs. 5, 6, 8 and 9) rigid with a block 67 clamped on a tie rod 68 (Fig. 3) which connects the frame brackets 23.

Mounted to oscillate, and reciprocate slightly, in the bearing block 66 is a tubular shaft 69 within which is an inner shaft 70. Riveted to the lower end of the outer shaft 69 is a strip 71 rigidly carrying a front wing folder 72 and a rear Wing folder 73. The terms front and rear are employed merely to distinguish which folders normally extend toward the foremost end and the rearmost end of the blank (see arrow in Figure 5). Riveted to the lower end of the inner vertical shaft 70 are a front wing folder 74 and a rear Wing folder 75. The four wing folders are substantially flat and are of angular form substantially as illustrated so that when the front folders are swung apart .and the rear folders are simultaneously swung apart by mechanism such as presently described, the outer edges of the four folders will act upon the inner sides or surfaces of the sections 6 f of the blank to double or fold them on their crease lines back onto the outside folders or tuckers 43, as shown by comparing Figures 8 and 9. Figure 16 illustrates the blank with its sections e f at an intermediate point of the operation just described. The timing is such that the members 43 are withdrawn and move outward just after the Wing folders have operated as described, but said wing folders then hold the portions 03 e f in their in-folded positions to guide. them under the fiat spring fingers 99 (Fig 10) when the blank is later pushed along by the chain lugs 33. The wide fiat form of the wing folders provides for this guiding function.

The reason for providing mechanism for imparting vertical movements to the shafts 69, 70, is to cause the wing folders, when they swing apart, to be in a plane sufficiently elevated to caus their outer edges to engage the sections 6 7 well above the'crease lines, to bend or fold said sections over without risk of tearing them. Then the folders descend topress saidsections down flat and hold or guide them while being passed along as the blank is pushed or advanced by the chain lug. To effect the vertical movements of the shafts 69, 70, an elbow lever 76, 77, (Fig. 5) is pivoted at 78 to one side of the fixed block 67, the arm 76 having a pin or roll 79 engaging an annularly' grooved collar 80 fixedly carried by the tubular shaft 69 above block 66. Pivoted to the arm 77 of said elbow lever is one end of a rod 81 which is guided in a small block 82 (Figs. 1 and 7) mounted on a tie rod 83, the other end of saidrod 81 being acted upon by a cam 84 carried by the shaft 25. A spring 85 con- 85 necting the arm 77 with the fixed block 82 coacts with the cam84 in effecting the vertical movements of the tubular shaft 69 and the shaft 7 O mounted therein in proper-timing to raise and lower the wing folders as 7 described.

. To oscillate the inner and outer vertical shafts to simultaneously swing apart the front pair and rear pair of wing folders, the

following mechanism is provid ed:The 75 upper end of the outer shaft 69 has a laterally extending arm 86 (Fig. 5) and the up per end of the inner shaft has a laterally extending arm 87. These two arms are connected, by adjustable links 88, with two 80 arms 89 of a rock shaft 90 (Figs. 1 and 3) mounted in the frame brackets 23. An arm 91 of said rock shaft is connected by a link 92 with the upper end of a strut 93 pivoted at 94 to th frame bracket. A roll 95 at the 85 junction of the link and strut is acted upon by acam 96 carried by shaft 25, a suitably connected spring 97 coacting with the cam torock the shaft 90 and oscillate the vertical shafts and swing the wing folders as here- 90 the lugs of the chains which pass close un- 9 der said folders will not catch upon said folders and cause damage.

' The timing of the operation of the parts of the machine shown in detail in Figures 3 to 9 inclusive is such that the side folders or tuckers 43 first move in from the position shown in Figures 3 and 5 and then down as shown in Figure 6. The blank is then in the condition shown in Figure 16 except that its portions 0 f are not yet turned up as shown in that figure but are fiat as in Figure 6. Then the wing folders swing a art (Fig. 8) and turn up the sections e f (Fig. 16) and continue to swing apart and also move down (Fig. 9). This completes the folding of the no portions ale f, and just after this a pair of lugs 33 of the chains ,catch up with the rear edge of the blank and begin to push it along. The portions 9 h of the blanks are still standing substantially upright, and as the blank moves along, the in-folded portions d e f slide out from under the wing folders which then return to thenormal position of Figure 3. The side folders or tuckers slide out to normal position just before the blank begins to be moved along by the chain lugs, and therefore said t-uckers present no obstacle to the passage of the sections 03 6 along under the wing folders. Said wing folders remain in their outer positions shown in Figure 9 long enough to permit the wide outer portions of the front folders 72,

74, to act as guidesto direct the in-folded 1 and 11) which serve two purposes.

messes portions of the blank under a pair of spring 99 is carried by a rotatively adjustable disk 100 (Fig. 5) supported by an arm 101 fixedly depending'from a block 102 fixed on tie rod 68 (Figs. 1 and 3).

As best illustrated by Figure 10 the fingers 99 serve to prevent un-folding of the portions 03 e 7 while the blanks move along forthe folding in of the flaps h g as presently described.

As the blank is pushed along by the chain lugs (Fig. 10) its flaps h g ride along the inner sides of a air of folder rods 103 (Figs. 1, 3 and 10 extending from blocks 104 supported by the strips 29..- Said rods are so formed lon itudinally that they serve to fold the flaps g in, and they are long enough to guide and hold said flaps as well as the portions d e 7 turned in as in Figure 17 until the folded flaps are in alinement with the previously folded portions d e f and reach the nip of a pair of press rolls 106, 107 presently described.

Sometimes. it is desirable to employ a pair' of supplemental flap-guiding rods 105 (Fig. 10) the tips of which extend to a point where they will bear on the flaps quite near the crease lines thereof to effect the flattening down of said flaps.

Each blank in the condition shown inFigure 17 is pushed along until its front portion is reaches the nip of tworolls 106, 107 (gigs.

irst they pull the blank away from the hooked lugs of the chains so that said lugs will not damage the rear edges of the blanks when the lugs pass down aroundthe sprockets carried by shafit'lOS (Fig. 1), and they so press the portions d e f g h as to complete the foldlng thereof. The first of these functions is due to the fact that the rolls are driven at a peripheral speed exceeding the speed of travel of the chains 32. This increase of speed also effects a widening of'the space between each blank and the one following it so that the said following one will not overlap the preceding one and interfere with its lateral movement after passing the rolls. The means for effecting such iateral movement will be presently described.

The lower roll 107 (Fig. 11) is larger than the upper roll 106 and is carried by a shaft 109 mounted in'frame bearings.- The shaft of the upper roll 106 is mounted-in bearings at the ends of arms 110 pivotally'supported by a tie rod 22-so that said roll bears yieldingiy on the roll 107 or on blanks passing between the rolls.

Each blank reaching and passing the rplls 106, 107, is completely folded on its longitudul crease lines and it then passes to and through another part of the machine which folds it on its transverse crease lines. Referring first to Figure '11 in connection with Flgilgle 1, the blank in the condition shown in igure 17 passes from the rolls onto a table consisting of a plurality of .plates 111 spaced -for the passage between them of chains 112 having hooked lugs 113. Said table plates are supported by suitable means such as a bar 114 a portion of which is shown in Figure 1.

Mounted so it can be swung upwardly on a rod 115 supported by a frame bracket 116, is a frame consisting of two bars 117 connected as by a strip 118 and adapted'to be held in the position shown in Figure 11 by suitable means such as a latch device indicated at 119. As soon as the rear edge of a blank passes the nip of the rolls 106, 107, it stops in the position shown in Figure 11 because of the friction between it and the table plates 111 and the bars 117. As a matter of fact therefore, the rolls 106, 107, determine the position of momentary rest of the partially folded blanks, and no arresting stops are necesf sary although such stops might be employed shown in Figure 2. Conveniently the strips 121 extend from and are supported by bars 117.

Each blank-travels in the direction of its length while in the first section of the machine, and then travels laterally direction of its width while passmg through the second section. The first operation in the second section is to apply a suitable adhesive, hereinafter referred to as glue, to the upper surfaces of the four triangular portions e g of each blank. Said us is applied by 0 shown in Figures. 12 and 13, are arranged as two pairs, one pair '122 applying glue to the portions e whichare at the front as the blank travels 1n the direction of the arrow, and the other pair, 123, applying glue to the portions e f at the rear. The pads are triangular in face view to correspond with the shape of the portions 6 f and are curved to a radius the same as that of the circular path which they follow. They are carried or in the ur rotary pads whicfi, as best arms 124 rigidly but adjustably mounted speed the same as that of the blanks, and

' the front pair is spaced from the rear pair (peripherally) the same as the distance between the front and rear portions 6 f of the blank moving along below the pads. During each rotation of the pads they pass by and take glue from a roll 126 which 1s driven at the same peripheral speed as the pads but in opposite direction. The roll takes a film of glue from a tank or trough 127 which may be suitably heated in a manner not necessary to describe or illustrate. The roll is carried by a shaft 128mounted in arms 129 pivotally supported on a rod 130 mounted in cars of the trough 127. In practice the arms rest on adjustable supports to enable the height of the roll to be adjusted. Said arms, being pivoted, enable the roll to be swung up clear of the trough Tn alinement with the strips 121 and supported so as to constitute, practically, extensions thereof, are strips 131 which serve to prevent the in-folded portions of the -blanks from springing up while passing along for the further folding presently described.

When the glue is applied as described, the blank is in the condition illustrated by Figure 17 and is travelling in the direction of the arrow adjacent that figure. The next operation is to fold the blank on the transverse crease line between sections a b so as to-bring flaps 9 onto the glued portions 6 (see Figure 18). At practically the same time, the flap la is folded onto the section '5, The blank is pushed along laterally to ward the left in Figure 2 by the lugs of the chains 112, said blank sliding on suitably supported plates 132 and travelling under a strip 136 supported by tie rods 137, 138. During this movement of the blank the flap k of the blank rides along upwardly and inwardl inclined folder rods 139, 140, supported by adjustably mounted brackets 141, said flap being thereby turned up and folded over to nearly the condition shown by Figure 18. At the same time the section b, with its in-folded flaps g, rides along an inwardly and upwardly inclined folder rod 142 supported by adjustably mounted brackets 143, said rod 142 serving to turn the section I) up and in toward the midwidth of the. blank. An innerbar 144 projecting from the end of a bracket 145 rigidg supported by the tie rod 137 guides the aps g of section Z; to prevent them from unfoldingas section b approaches final inturned position. The fold of section b is made complete by a pair of press rolls the upper one of which is indicated at 146 in Figure 2, said roll being carried by a shaft 147 mounted-in arms 148 extending from 7 the tie rod 138. It is tobe understood that below the shaft 147 and roll 146 are another shaft and a similar roll. This pair of rolls act upon the section b and its flaps 9 so that the latter are pressed down upon the portions e which are carrying glue, to permanently unite flaps g and portions e.

The shaft 147 also carries a pulley 149 for a belt 150 which runs also over another pulley 151 carried by a shaft 152, suitable belt tightener pulleys being employed as indicated at 153. It is to be understood that a similar belt is below the belt 150 to cooperate therewith in carrying the blank through to the delivery end of the machine. Such two belts and their pulleys serve to complete the fold of the flap k of the blank.

As the blank, now in the condition shown by Figure 18, is carried along by the belt 150 and its companion belt below it, the next and last folding operation occurs on the crease line between sections a and c, the comletion of which operation carries the glueearing portions i over onto the flaps h and causes them to be permanently united (see Figure 19), This final or third fold on a tranverse crease line is edected by several devices one of which is a twist belt 154 mounted at its delivery end on a pulley 155 carried by shaft 152, and at its other end on a pulley 156. Said pulley 156 is mounted on an axle-pin carried by a bar 157 which is rotatably and longitudinally adjustable in a bearing 158 at the inner end of a bracket bar 159. This adjustable mounting of the pulley 156 provides for varying both the twist and the tension of the belt 154. In

ractice we find it desirable to employ ad'- ustable pulleys intermediate the pulleys 155, 156, to guide the acting stretch of the belt 154, but as such are well known in box folding machines, and are not claimed herein, it is unnecessary to illustrate them.

Cooperating with the belt 154 to turn the section a and all'the previously folded parts which are integral therewith, up and over to the condition shown by Figure 19, are two curved rods 160, 161. The rod 160 is adjustably carried by a clam 162 the shank 163 of which is carried y a block 164 adjustably clamped on a bracket rod 165. The rod 161 has an integral shank or arm 166 adjustably mounted in a clamp block 167 carried by the inner end of a bracket rod 168. The blank, as it moves along, is partially supported by a lower belt a portion of which is indicated at 169 in Fi ure 2, said blank passin under a downho d or iding strip170 ung below and supported by' the bracket rod 168.

It is to be understood that the ortion of the twist belt which is on the pulley 156 is below the plane of the blank, and the acting stretch of the belt passes to a higher plane at the delivery end. Said actin stretch sections.

marginal portions and flaps inwardly onto the bottom and front and rear wall sections,

' then applying glue to predetermined areas of the in-folded marginal portions, and then folding the blank on the lines between the bottom section and the front and rear wall 3. The method of making boxes from blanks which are cut and creased to provide a bottom section, front and rear wall sections and a cover section, the bottom section having foldable marginal portions and the front and rear wall sections having foldable flaps, said method consisting in first folding said marginal portions inwardly, then folding corners of the marginal portions outwardly, then folding said flaps inwardly, then applying glue to the said outwardly folded portions, and then folding the blank on the lines between the bottom section and the front and rear wall sections. 4:. In a machine of the character de scribed, blank-carrying mechanism, and independently operative folders for successively acting upon different areas of two opposite marginal portions of the blanks.

5. In a machine of the character described, blank-carrying mechanism, oppositely mounted folders for folding marginalportions of a blank inwardly, and outwardly operative folders for doubling said marginal portions.

6. The method of making wall boxes in collapsed condition adapted to be set up for use, consisting in forming blanks of sheet material with foldable' marginal portions projecting from two opposite edges, folding said marginal portions in toward the mid width of the blanks, folding the blanks on transverse lines tosuperimpose some of the in-folded marginal portions at each side of the blanks on other in-folded marginal portions at the same side of the blanks, and securing said contacting marginal portions together.

ing laterally projecting marginal portions,

comprising blank carrying mechanism, means for first completely folding said marginal portions, means for applying glue to predetermined areas of the olded marginal auge doubling said asagna portions, and means for folding the blank on lines at a right angle to the line of the first folding operation.

10. A machine for folding blanks having laterally projecting marginal portions, comprising two blank-carrying mechanisms at an angle to each other, means for folding said marginal portions while the blank is in that part of the machine having one of the blankcarrying mechanism, means for applying glue to predetermined areas of the folded marginal portions while the blank is under the control of the other blank-carrying mechanism, and means for folding the body of the blank after the application of the glue.

11. A machine for folding wall-box blanks comprising two successively operating folding mechanisms at an angle to each other the first being constructed and arranged to fold the blanks on longitudinal lines and the second being constructed and arranged to fold the blanks on transverse lines, and means for applying glue to wall portions of the box blanks after completion of the folding on longitudinal lines.

12. A machine for folding wall-box blanks comprising two successively operating folding mechanisms at an angle to each other the first being constructed and arranged to fold the blanks on longitudinal lines and the second being constructed and arranged to fold the blanks on transverse lines, and a plurality of rotary glue appliers located in position to apply glue to predetermined portions oft-he longitudinally folded portions of the blanks while they are on their way to be transversely folded.

13. A machine of the character described comprisinga first portion having means for causing a blank to travel and means for completely folding marginal portions of it on longitudinal lines, and a second portion at an to the first portion, said second portion having means for causing the blank to travel and also having means for folding the blank on transverse lines and laying some of the previously folded marginal portions of the blank on other marginal portions, the machine having means for applying glue to some of said marginal portions at a point intermediate the longitudinal and transverse folding.

14. In a machine of the character de-' scribed, a pair of travelling blank-forwarding lug carriers, means for supplying a blank to a position of rest in advance of and spaced from the lugs of said carriers, and folders movable to and from position to operate on marginal portions of the blank before said lugs reach its rear edge.

5. In a machine of the character de scribed, a pair of travelling blank-forwardmg lug vcarriers, means for supplying a blank to a position of rest in advance of and spaced from the lugs of said carriers, means for turning marginal portions of the blank to upright positions While the blank is moving to said position of rest, and folders movable to and from positionto operate on the upturned marginal portions before said lugs reach the rear edge of the blank.

16. In a machine of the character described, a pair of outside folders movable to and from position to operate on marginal portions of a blank to fold said portions inwardly, and a plurality of inside folders movable outwar ly to re-fold or double over said marginal portions.

17. In a machine of the character described, means for supplying blanks singly and successively to a position of rest, a pair of outside folders movable to and from position to operate on marginal portions of each blank to fold said portions inwardly, and a plurality of inside folders movable outwardly to re-fold or double over said marginal portions.

18. In a machine of the character described, a' pair of outside folders movable inwardly and downwardly to operate on marginal portions of a blank, and a plurality of outwardlyand downwardly movable folders to re-fold or double over said marginal portions.

19. In a machine of the character described, a pair of outside folders movable inwardly and downwardly to operate on marginal portions of a blank, and a plurality of inside folders mounted to swing on vertical axes to re-fold or double over said marginal portions.

20. In a machine for making folded wall boxes, means for supplying blanks singly and successively to a position of rest, a pair of rock shafts having folding blades to operate on marginal portions of each blank, .means for moving said rock shafts toward each other, and means for oscillating said shafts as they approach their inner positions to swing said folding blades down.

21. In a machine for making folded wall boxes, means for supplying blanks singly and successively to a position of rest, outside folders for turning marginal portions of each blank inwardly, a pair of coaxial shafts mounted above said position of rest, each of said shafts having folding wings extending forwardly and rearwardly, and means for r oscillating said shafts in opposite directions to swing said folding wings outwardly.

22. In a machine for making folded wall boxes, means for supplying blanks singly I and successively to a position of rest, tapering outside folders for turning marginal portions of each blank inwardly, and outwardly movable inside folders to double ortions of said mar inal portions back over t e tapering ed es o the outside folders.

as. In. a machine for making folded wall vided for boxes, means for supplying blanks singly and successively to a position of rest, a pair of outside folders movable to and from position to operate on marginal portions of each blank to fold said portions inwardly, a plurality of inside folders to re-fold or double over said marginal portions, blank forwarding mechanism to remove the blank from its position of rest, and operating connections to effect outward movement of the outside folders before the blank forwarding mechanism operates to remove the blank from the said position of rest.

24. In a machine for making folded wall boxes, folders for folding marginal sections of a blank inwardly andfor folding portions of said sections outwardly, means for pressing the blanks after they are so folded, forwarding means for transporting the blanks from the folders to the pressing means, and means for holding the said marginal sections in folded condition while they are being forwarded to said pressing means.

25. In a machine for making folded wall boxes, folders for folding marginal sections of a blank inwardly and for folding portions of said sections outwardly, rolls for pressing the blanks after they are so folded, forwarding means for transferring the blanks from the folders to the pressing rolls,

and means for holding the said marginal sections in folded condition while they are being forwarded to the said rolls.

26. In a machine for making foldedwall boxes, folders for folding marginal sections of a blank inwardly and for folding portions of said sections outwardly, means for pressing the blanks after they are so folded, forwarding means for transferring the blanks from the folders to the pressing means, means for holding the said marginal sections in folded condition while they are of the lug carriers to cause said rolls to pull the blanks away from the folded blanks.

28. A box folding machine having a pair lugs and press the of endlessblank-forwarding lug carriers,

means for folding blanks forwarded by the lugs of the carrier, and apair of rolls for taking blanks from said carriers, said rolls being relatively mounted to exert yielding pressure on the blanks, means being prodriving the rolls at a peripheral speed exceeding the speed of travel of the pletely' fo Kid lug carriers to cause said rolls topull the blanks away from the lugs and press the folded blanks. I Y

29. A machine for making folded wall box'es, comprising two folding mechanisms at an ang e to each other, a-table intermediate said mechanisms, one of said mechanisms'be'ing constructed and arranged to comand the other being constructed and arranged to com lets the folding of. the blank on transverse mes, a pair of rolls for delivering the longitudinally folded blank onto the table, means for frictionally arresting the blank as soon as its rear edge leaves the nip of said rolls, and means for carrying the blank from the table through the mechanism for transversely foldingit.

30. A machine for making folded wall boxes, comprising two folding mechanisms at an angle to each other, a table intermediate said mechanisms, one ofsaid mechanisms being constructed and arranged to completely fold a blank on longitudinal lines and the other being constructed and arranged to com lete the folding of the blank on transverse 'nes, a pair of rolls for delivering the longitudinally folded blank onto the table, a movable frame above the table for aiding in frictionallyarresting the blank as soon as its rear edge leavesthe ni of said rolls, and means for carrying the b ankfrom the table through the mechanism for.

transversely foldin it. I

31. A machine or making folded wall boxes, comprising two sections at an angle to each other the first section having means for foldi side wall portions of a blank and the secon section having means for applying glue in separate locations to the sand. folded wall portions and also having means for transversely folding the blank.

' 32. A machine for making folded wall! boxes, comprising two sections at an angle to each other the first section having means for folding side wall portions of a blank and the second section having rotary glue pads to contact with predetermined. areas of said folded wall portions, the second section also having means for transversely folding the blank.

d a blank on longitudinal lines Memes blank to prepare them for receiving glue, the other section having means for applying glueto predetermined areas of said wall portions and also having means for folding the blank to cause the glue bearing areas to adhere to other areas of the wall portions.

35. A machine for making folded wall boxes, comprising two sections, one section having means for folding wall portions of a blank to present two upwardly facing triangular areas at each side of the blank, the other section having two pairs of ro ary glue pads shaped and spaced to apply gue to the said upwardly facing triangular areas and also having means for transversely folding the blank.

36. A machine for making folded wall boxes, comprising, two sections one of which includes means for folding marginal portions of a blank on lines longitudinal of the blank, the other section having -means for folding the blank on transverse lines.

.37. A machine for making folded wall boxes, comprising two sections one of which includes means for folding marginal portions of a blank on lines longitudinal of the blank, the other section having means for first folding the blank on two transverse lines simultaneously and then folding on an intermediate transverse line.

38. A machine for making folded wall boxes, comprising a plurality of successively operating folding mechanisms, and carrying devices for causing the blanks to travel progressively through the machine, the first of said mechanisms including devices for folding marginal portions of the blanks inwardly, the next including devices for folding'the blanks on two transverse lines, and the next including devices for foldingthe blanks on a third transverse line.

39; A machine for making folded wall boxes, comprising three successively operating folding mechanisms, carrying devices for causin the blanks to travel progressively throng the machine, the first of said mechanisms including devices for folding marginal'portions of the blanks inwardly, the second including devices for folding the blanks on two transverse lines, and the third including devices for folding the blanks on an. intermediate transverse line, and ides for preventing those portions of the lanks which have been folded by the second mechanism from unfolding while on their way to the third mechanism.

40. A machine for making folded wall boxes, comprisinga plurality of successively operating folding mechanisms, carrying de vices for causingfithe blanks to travel progressively throng the machine, the first of said mechanisms including devices for folding marginal portions of the blanks inwardly, t e next including devices for folding the blanks on two transverse lines, and i the next including devices for folding the blanks on a third transverse line, and means for applying glue to predetermined areas of the marginal portions of the blanks after those portions have been folded inwardly.

41. A machine for making folded Wall boxes, comprising carrying mechanism for causing blanks to travel progressively through the machine, a plurality of folding mechanisms in different locations relatively to the carrying mechanism, and means intermediate said folding mechanisms for preventing unfolding of the previously folded portions of the blanks.

42. A machine for making folded wall boxes, comprising carrying mechanism for causin blanks to travel progressively throng the machine, a plurality of folding mechanisms in difl'erent locations relatively to the carryingmechanism, means for applying glue to predetermined areas of the blanks, and means intermediate said folding mechanisms for reventing unfolding of the previously folde portions of the blanks.

43. In a box folding machine, blank carrying mechanism, means for doubling a portion of a blank onto its body, mechanism including a twisted belt for folding that portion of the blank having the doubled portion, and a curved stationary member in position to prevent unfolding of the said doubled portion-during the action of the twisted belt.

44. In a box folding machine, blank carrying mechanism, folding mechanism including a twisted belt, and a pair of curved rods adjacent to the belt to cooperate therewith in ensuring correct folding of the blanks, a space being provided between said rods for the passage of portions of the blanks between them.

In testimony whereof we have aflixed our signatures.

LEON E. LA BOMBARD. MELVIN H. SIDEBOTHAM. 

